Associate Choice program gives $5 Million to nonprofits across the nation

Anchorage, Alaska, November 1, 2010 – Food Bank of Alaska has received $100,000 from the Walmart Foundation as part of the Associate Choice Program, an online campaign where Walmart associates voted directly for a nonprofit to receive funding in their home state. The grant will help the Food Bank of Alaska to purchase food to serve the 55 communities throughout Alaska that it works with.

Food Bank of Alaska is dedicated to eliminating Hunger in Alaska by obtaining and providing food to partner agencies feeding hungry people and through anti-hunger leadership.

“According to Susannah Morgan, Executive Director, “Food Bank of Alaska counts on our partners like Walmart to assist us in finding as much food as possible. There are 74,000 Alaskans who count on us to provide food assistance, especially during the winter months.”

The six week voting program awarded $5 million in grants to statewide organizations across the U.S. Of those funds, $3.6 million are supporting hunger relief organizations based on votes from company associates. Walmart has recently announced a $2 billion commitment to help end hunger in America. Through the “Fighting Hunger Together” initiative, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation will give $250 million in grants to hunger relief organizations and donate more than 1.1 billion pounds of food from Walmart stores, distribution centers and Sam’s Club locations, valued at $1.75 billion.

“As a company, we operate globally but look for opportunities to give back locally,” said Marlene Munsell, Walmart Market Manager for Alaska. “We’re pleased that Walmart associates chose to support Food Bank of Alaska.”

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About Food Bank of Alaska

Food Bank of Alaska believes no one deserves to be hungry. We are dedicated to eliminating hunger in Alaska by obtaining and distributing food to partner agencies feeding hungry people and by providing anti-hunger leadership. FBA collects edible but non-salable food from local manufacturers, food processors, retailers, farmers and fishermen. In FY2009, FBA distributed 6 million pounds of food, through more than 300 partner agencies across the state – reaching more than 74,000 hungry Alaskans.

About Philanthropy at Walmart Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. The Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From Feb. 1, 2009 through Jan. 31, 2010, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $512 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally, $467 million of which was donated in the U.S. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundationorg.